Educational trends in special education in Spain : the case of the deaf

Abstract

Following a brief account of Education and Special Education in Spain, I will start the paper by pointing out the different views of understanding deafness, both in hearing and deaf people. I shall then focus on the Spanish situation regarding the education models for the deaf, drawing a distinction between models regarding language (oralism vs. bilingualism) and models regarding education (special education vs. inclusive education), The paper will end with a vision of the education for the deaf paying special attention to the fact that school teachers and administrators have a very early and intense role in the lives of deaf children. It will point out that early intervention is a desirable goal, but carries some dangers regarding deaf children's social and emotional development.